Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for door unlocking using a payment account. The system receives registration of a user at a business entity, such as a hotel and receives identification of a payment account associated with the user. Then the system establishes a policy such that the payment account is used as a key to unlock a door at the business entity, such as a hotel room. The system receives data associated with the payment account by receiving a card swipe at the hotel room door using a card associated with the payment account or via a wireless communication at the door. The door is unlocked based on validation of the data provided at the door.
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1. A method comprising: receiving, via a processor, a registration of a first user at a business entity, the first user using a first payment account to make a purchase at the business entity, wherein receiving the registration further comprises identifying a group of payment accounts comprising at least the first payment account of the first user and a second payment account of a second user; establishing, via the processor, a policy wherein the first payment account and the second payment account can each be used as a key to unlock a door at the business entity; receiving, via an electronic device having a communication interface at the door at the business entity, an indication of an interaction corresponding to the electronic device reading the first payment account or the second payment account respectively via the communication interface, the interaction used for identifying either the first payment account or the second payment account as the key to unlock the door at the business entity; and based on the interaction with the electronic device at the door, unlocking the door by the electronic device to permit access respectively to the first user or the second user.
A system unlocks a door at a business (e.g., hotel) using a payment account as a key. The system registers a user who makes a purchase using a payment account. The registration process identifies a group of payment accounts, including the user's and at least one other user's account. A policy is established that allows either payment account to unlock the door. An electronic device at the door reads a payment account. Based on the interaction with the device, such as swiping a card, the door unlocks for the corresponding user.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device at the door comprises a door unlocking mechanism that communicates with a database identifying that the first payment account and the second payment account or both authorized to unlock the door.
The door unlocking system described previously includes a door unlocking mechanism that communicates with a database. This database identifies that both payment accounts, the primary user's and the other authorized user's, are authorized to unlock the door. This communication ensures that only authorized payment accounts can trigger the unlocking mechanism.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving a card swipe at the door using a card associated with either the first payment account or the second payment account respectively.
In the door unlocking system where a database verifies payment account authorization, the system receives the payment account information by reading a card swipe at the door. This card swipe uses a physical card associated with either the primary user’s payment account or another authorized user’s payment account. The system then uses the payment information to unlock the door.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein receiving the indication comprises receiving, via a wireless communication, the interaction associated with either the first payment account or the second payment account at the door.
In the door unlocking system where a database verifies payment account authorization, the system receives the payment account information through a wireless communication at the door. This wireless communication is associated with either the primary user’s payment account or another authorized user’s payment account. The system identifies the payment account from the wireless transmission and unlocks the door accordingly.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the card is one of a credit card and an identification card.
In the card-based door unlocking system, the card used for swiping is either a credit card or an identification card. Both card types are linked to the payment accounts registered with the system, allowing users to unlock doors using familiar card formats.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the business entity is a hotel.
In the payment account door unlocking system, the business entity is a hotel. This means the system is specifically designed for hotel environments, allowing guests to use their payment accounts or associated cards to unlock their rooms.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first payment account and the second payment account are each one of a bank account, credit card account and online payment account.
In the payment account door unlocking system, each payment account is a bank account, credit card account, or online payment account. This provides flexibility by allowing users to register various types of payment methods for door access.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the online payment account is one of PayPal, Amazon and Apple Pay.
In the payment account door unlocking system, the online payment account can be PayPal, Amazon Pay, or Apple Pay. This specifies common online payment platforms that can be integrated into the door unlocking system.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the policy is associated with unlocking at least one of a hotel room door, a hospitality room door, a fitness center door and a pool door.
In the payment account door unlocking system, the unlocking policy applies to hotel room doors, hospitality room doors, fitness center doors, or pool doors. This means the payment account system can be used for various access control points within a facility.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first payment account and the second payment account are each associated with at least one user.
In the payment account door unlocking system, each payment account is associated with at least one user. This allows the system to link payment accounts to specific individuals for access control purposes.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein a location based service associates the first user with unlocking the door at the business entity.
In the payment account door unlocking system, a location-based service associates the user with unlocking the door. The system can verify the user's proximity to the door before granting access, adding a security layer by ensuring the user is physically present at the business entity.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein an application downloaded to a mobile device is associated with the policy.
In the payment account door unlocking system, an application downloaded to a mobile device is associated with the unlocking policy. The application acts as an interface for managing the user's access and interacting with the door unlocking system.
13. The method of claim 12 , the method further comprising: providing, via the application, a notification to the first user based on a time of unlocking a door at the business entity; and performing an action based on a response to the notification from the first user.
Using the mobile application from the payment account door unlocking system, the system sends a notification to the user based on when the door is unlocked. The user can then respond to the notification, triggering a specific action, like confirming access or initiating a security check.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first user specifies a time frame via the application when a room at the business entity is available for cleaning.
Using the mobile application from the payment account door unlocking system, the user can specify a timeframe when their room is available for cleaning. The system uses this information to grant temporary access to cleaning staff during the designated period.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first user remotely unlocks a room at the business entity via the application.
Using the mobile application from the payment account door unlocking system, the user can remotely unlock a room at the business entity. This feature provides remote access control, allowing the user to unlock the door from a distance using their mobile device.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first user grants permission for the second user to access a room at the business entity for a specific time frame via the application.
Using the mobile application from the payment account door unlocking system, the user can grant permission for another user to access a room for a specific timeframe. This enables temporary access for guests or service providers.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first payment account is associated with a first physical card and the second payment account is associated with a second physical card.
In the payment account door unlocking system, the first payment account is associated with a physical card, and a second payment account is associated with a second physical card. This describes a scenario where multiple users have separate physical cards linked to their respective payment accounts for door access.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the first physical card and the second physical card, when used to make a purchase, both access the same banking account.
The physical cards used in the payment account door unlocking system, when used to make a purchase, both access the same banking account. This means that multiple cards can be linked to a single account for shared access, such as within a family.
19. A system comprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a registration of a first user at a business entity, the first user using a first payment account to make a purchase at the business entity, wherein receiving the registration further comprises identifying a group of payment accounts comprising at least the first payment account of the first user and a second payment account of a second user; establishing a policy wherein the first payment account and the second payment account can each be used as a key to unlock a door at the business entity; receiving, via an electronic device having a communication interface at the door at the business entity, an indication of an interaction corresponding to the electronic device reading the first payment account or the second payment account respectively via the communication interface, the interaction used for identifying either the first payment account or the second payment account as the key to unlock the door at the business entity; and based on the interaction with the electronic device at the door, unlocking the door by the electronic device to permit access respectively to the first user or the second user.
A system unlocks a door at a business (e.g., hotel) using a payment account as a key. The system includes a processor and a storage device with instructions. The system registers a user who makes a purchase using a payment account. The registration process identifies a group of payment accounts, including the user's and at least one other user's account. A policy is established that allows either payment account to unlock the door. An electronic device at the door reads a payment account. Based on the interaction with the device, such as swiping a card, the door unlocks for the corresponding user.
20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: receiving a registration of a first user at a business entity, the first user using a first payment account to make a purchase at the business entity, wherein receiving the registration further comprises identifying a group of payment accounts comprising at least the first payment account of the first user and a second payment account of a second user; establishing a policy wherein the first payment account and the second payment account can each be used as a key to unlock a door at the business entity; receiving, via an electronic device having a communication interface at the door at the business entity, an indication of an interaction corresponding to the electronic device reading the first payment account or the second payment account respectively via the communication interface, the interaction used for identifying either the first payment account or the second payment account as the key to unlock the door at the business entity; and based on the interaction with the electronic device at the door, unlocking the door by the electronic device to permit access respectively to the first user or the second user.
A computer-readable storage device stores instructions for unlocking a door at a business (e.g., hotel) using a payment account as a key. The instructions cause a processor to register a user who makes a purchase using a payment account. The registration process identifies a group of payment accounts, including the user's and at least one other user's account. A policy is established that allows either payment account to unlock the door. An electronic device at the door reads a payment account. Based on the interaction with the device, such as swiping a card, the door unlocks for the corresponding user.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 8, 2015
August 1, 2017
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